By RobbinsvilleWeb contributor Kevin Stawicki

The Robbinsville High School Gymnasium overflowed with emotion, excitement, purpose…and people; over 1000 guests attended Jonathan’s Shooting Stars Basketball Benefit Saturday evening. Tickets for the game sold out as of Thursday 13th.

Proceeds directly benefited the Sharon School Kindergartener who, for the past 18 months, has been battling pancreatoblastoma, a rare cancer. Jonathan Lee sat front row surrounded by his family and friends as the Harlem MagicMasters played a good old game of basketball against The Robbinsville Dream Team, which comprised of 28 Sharon School teachers. This night was Jonathan’s.

At 7:30 PM, the game began, with the first shot made by the MagicMasters. Putting on their game faces, The Robbinsville Dream Team swung into action. Windsor School nurse, Melissa Young and Sharon School kindergarten teacher, AnnMarie DelleGrotti, both found themselves either being fouled or fouling the MagicMasters; especially 7′3″ #33. Five minutes before halftime, the kids in the stands spilt onto the court to a familiar tune: the Cotton Eyed Joe.

Shawn 5′4″ #23, the shortest MagicMaster, triggered roars of laughter as he dribbled while practically lying on the ground and contorting his body, “It’s great. You know, sold out crowd, people being so supportive. It feels so good.”

I asked Sharon School principal, Janet Sinkewicz, what of the evening was most surprising to her, “I would say the community turnout. But I knew our community would come together. I would say the help we received tonight from all who volunteered. But I knew that they would do a great job. The enormous and overwhelming turnout both emotionally and financially was wonderful.”

Tags: benefit